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System and method to monitor airplane restroom use

a technology for airplane restrooms and systems, applied in reservations, data processing applications, computing, etc., can solve the problems that passengers are not necessarily efficient in choosing which restrooms to use, and achieve the effect of minimizing the time passengers spend standing in the aisles and improving airline safety

Inactive Publication Date: 2018-10-04
SMITH CHARLES EDISON
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system to improve bathroom use on airplanes by eliminating long lines and making efficient use of space. Each passenger seat has a button to reserve a bathroom, and when someone presses the button, the system sends a notification to their phone to let them know when the bathroom is available for use. This saves time for passengers and reduces safety risks.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, airline passengers are not necessarily efficient at choosing which bathroom to visit.

Method used

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  • System and method to monitor airplane restroom use
  • System and method to monitor airplane restroom use
  • System and method to monitor airplane restroom use

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Embodiment Construction

[0015]Although the present invention is disclosed with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood at the outset that it is contemplated that the present invention may vary in specific detail from that illustrated and described herein, while still achieving the desired characteristics and features of the present invention. Accordingly, the description that follows is intended to be understood as a broad enabling disclosure directed to persons skilled in the applicable arts and is riot to be understood as being restrictive.

[0016]FIGS. 1-4 show one embodiment of a system. Features described herein include six primary mechanisms, which can be arranged in a variety of configurations. First, there is a request mechanism by which an airline passenger signals his desire to visit an airplane bathroom. Second, there is a bathroom mechanism by which the system knows the vacant or occupied status of each airplane bathroom. Third, there is a software algorithm that...

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Abstract

The present invention is a system and apparatus, system, and method for providing reservations for restroom use and access to the most conveniently available restroom. In one embodiment, a passenger on an airplane may submit a reservation request to the system for restroom use. The system controller processes the request, assigns a reservation number, determines whether the restroom is available and notifies the passenger when a restroom becomes available. The system seeks to direct the passenger to the restroom closest in proximity to the location of the requesting passenger's seat. The system improves airline safety by minimizing the time passengers spent standing while an airplane is in flight.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 317,627, filed Apr. 3, 2016.BACKGROUNDField of Invention[0002]This invention relates to systems and methods for providing in-flight reservations and use of the airplane restrooms. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods designed for multi-passenger orderly turns to visit the airplane's restroom or bathroom while the airplane is in flight.Description of Related Art[0003]In a post-9 / 11 world, security concerns have mandated that commercial airline passengers not congregate in an airplane's aisle during flight. Terms include restrictions on passengers forming a queue while waiting to visit the aircraft's bathroom. But how can many passengers take orderly turns to visit the bathroom if they are not allowed to form a queue?[0004]Even if each passenger were to make an independent decision (from a probability theory viewpoint), there is a good chan...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06Q10/02B64D11/02
CPCB64D11/02G06Q10/025B64D11/00155
Inventor SMITH, CHARLES EDISON
Owner SMITH CHARLES EDISON